LeRoy Battle’s Easier Said is a spellbinding story of the life of
one of the many African American men who by their sheer determination
and perseverance, set and pursued goals which led to a rewarding life.
To those of LeRoy’s time, it provides an opportunity to relive some
of their own experiences – to youngsters, it will serve as an inspiration.

Questions
for Discussion

Explain how
Battle's learning approach of "study and practice"
helped him to become successful in his career and personal goals.

When did LeRoy
"Boots" Battle's career goal or his love for music
become "two pronged" a) to perform and b) to teach
others how to play?

Explain this
quote by Battle: "the thought of robbing a person or a
store
couldn't hold a candle to the holistic, magnificent chords of
a Bach cantata or the beautiful dark tones of a Brahm's chorale."

What kept Battle
as a jazz musician from drugs, alcohol, and dangerous women?

What act of
"civil disobedience" did 2nd Lt. LeRoy Battle and
other officers demonstrate? What factors made this protest especially
dangerous for the Black officers? What were the results of their
behavior?

How did being
a musician help Battle with New York gang members? Explain how
gangs operate? Who are the Guardian Angels?

List the steps
in the process used by the Rhythm Club for a musician to be
chosen for a "gig"? What role did "networking"
play in this process? How old was LeRoy when he started playing
in these neighborhood gigs?

What tactics were
used by the military "to bond" the Tuskegee Airmen?
What groups are these strategies used with today? Develop a bonding
exercise for your College (church group, athletic team, family)
group, i.e. Student Art League, Collegian Center members, ALANA,
your classmates, the Honors group.

Explain how mathematics
is used in bombardier training and by musicians.

How did Battle win
the New York Philharmonic Scholarship for the Borough of Brooklyn?
What did he learn from the music scholar Mr. Saul Goodman?

Discuss the gangs
and gang activities Battle found in his Brooklyn neighborhood.
Are these gangs different from the ones in Prince George's County
today?

Can you identify with
this quote by Battle: "I had an insatiable appetite for all
kinds of music and worked hard to master every aspect of my instruments'
range."